How to say "inheritance" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 遺産いさんnounCovers inheritance as the property, estate, or legacy one receives from a deceased person. This is the everyday word for what is actually left behind, and it also extends to cultural heritage.
- 継承けいしょうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbRefers to inheriting or succeeding to something such as a position, title, tradition, or property in a formal, abstract way. It emphasizes the act of taking over rather than the assets themselves.
- 承継しょうけいnoun, suru verb, transitive verbA formal legal and business term for succession to rights, obligations, or positions, as in contracts or company matters. Seldom the everyday word for inheritance; it is really a legal-succession term.
- 相続そうぞくnoun, suru verb, transitive verbThe standard legal term for inheritance, referring to the process of a heir succeeding to a deceased person's estate under law. Use this when talking about inheritance as a legal or practical matter.
- 家督かとくnounRefers to the family estate or fortune, traditionally inherited by the family head. Its inheritance sense is tied to the old headship system, so it is usually not the word you want for ordinary inheritance.
Use 相続 or 遺産 for ordinary inheritance of property, 継承 or 承継 for formal succession of rights or positions, and reserve 家督 for the old-style family headship sense.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 遺産いさんinheritance
- 継承けいしょうinheritance
- 承継しょうけいsuccession
- 譲りゆずりinheritance
- 相伝そうでんinheritance
- 相承そうしょうinheritance
- インヘリタンスinheritance
- 遺産相続いさんそうぞくinheritance
- 相続財産そうぞくざいさんinheritance
- 親代代おやだいだいinheritance
- 継受けいじゅinheritance
- 譲り受けゆずりうけtransfer
- 遺財いざいbequest
- レガシーlegacy
- 嗣業しぎょうGod's gift (esp. the promised land)
- 遺伝いでんheredity
- 相続そうぞくinheritance
- 家督かとくfamily estate
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
